Local time: GMT+3 hours (April-September) GMT+2 hours (October-March)

Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, Kabardian

Note: there is also a substantial Gagauz population in the European part of Turkey

Temperatures in Ankara vary between -4°C (25ºF) and 30°C (86ºF). Marmara and the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, wet winters. The east of the country is mountainous with warm summers and very cold, snowy winters. The southeast has very hot summers and cold winters. The Black Sea coast is the wettest part of the country, especially in the northeast.

Bring comfortable, tidy informal clothing and well-broken-in shoes for sightseeing. For visiting mosques, dress neatly as you would to visit a church (no shorts or short sleeves). Dress at dinner is generally “smart casual,” (tidy informal clothes) though you may wear a dress or jacket if you wish.

Throughout the year, apart from Festivals, businesses are open at the following hours:

Offices: Mondays to Fridays: 09:00 - 17.00 (with an hour's break at noon).

Banks: Mondays to Fridays: 09:00 - 17:00.

Stores: Mondays to Fridays: 0900 - 17:00.

Turkey has many ways to move through the country and is well served by air, buses and taxis services. There are an extensive and well maintained road network linking the towns, cities, and popular tourist areas. Train system is limited and slow in comparison with buses; also there are shared taxis or minibuses called Dolmus covering short stretches and linking rural villages.

Turkish lira (TRY)

No vaccination certificates are compulsory for entry to Turkey.

You should always check with your doctor, in good time prior to departure, if there are any inoculations the Department of Health consider necessary or advisable for any specific areas.

Passport and Visas :

1. Nationals of the following countries can enter Turkey with a valid passport; a visa is not required :
   • Up to 3 Months : Germany, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Morocco, Fiji, Finland, France, Granada, Holland, Iran, Switzerland, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Canada, Qatar, Kenya, Kuwait, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Norway, Oman, St. Lucia, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Vatican City, New Zealand, Greece, Ecuador, Sweden, Israel, Brazil, South Korea.
   • Up to 2 Months : The Republic of Croatia, The Republic of Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Macedonia, Indonesia,
   • Up to 1 Month : Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, The Republic of South Africa.
2. For the countries mentioned above and Bulgaria, a transit visa is not required.
3. Nationals of the following countries require a visa:
   • U.S.A., Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, can obtain a sticker visa at border gates (Up to 3 Months).
   • Nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States (except Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) Hungary, Poland, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Taiwan can obtain a sticker visa at border gates (Up to 1 Month).
   • Nationals of Albania and Guatemala can obtain a visa for up to 15 days at border gates, for nationals of Jordan up to 30 days.
   • Nationals of all other countries require a visa which can be obtained from the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate.
     
     NOTE: All EU citizens, Swiss, Maltese and citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus may enter Turkey with the proper Identity cards in lieu of a passport.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Please click the link below for visa requirements for Turkey
http://www.turizm.net/turkey/tips/visa.html